Thousands demonstrate throughout Syria

Friday, May 13, 2011 - 01:07

May 13 - Thousands of Syrians demonstrated after weekly prayers on Friday keeping up a two-month-old campaign of calls to end the autocratic rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Jon Decker reports.

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REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT OF THIS VIDEO, WHICH HAS BEEN OBTAINED FROM A SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL.
Thousands of Syrians demonstrated after weekly prayers on Friday keeping up a two-month-old campaign of calls to end the autocratic rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Video posted on social media website on Friday showed protests in Homs, Damascus, and Hama.
Reuters is unable to independently verify the video clips-- one of which showed tear gas being used to disperse protesters in a location identified as Damascus.
With independent journalists barred from the country, it's not possible to assess accurately the numbers taking part in the protests nor to compare them to previous weekly rallies.
In recent weeks, Assad lifted a 48-year state of emergency in the country but also sent tanks to several cities to suppress the protests.
The main weekly prayers are a rallying point for protesters because they offer the only opportunity for large gatherings.
Jon Decker, Reuters.

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